Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone. March 30

(Review by Russell)

Less than twenty-four hours before the start of the big bash at Sage Gateshead the Millstone was packed. Stacked chairs were unstacked, posteriors were placed on them. The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s monthly public rehearsal session welcomed back the long lost Guy Swinton (last sighted in Lapland!) and, but for one or two deps, MD Michael Lamb had the regular band at his disposal.

It Had to be You sang F’reez, Don’cha Go ’Way Mad sang Alice. Pav - that’s the underrated Pawel Jedrzejewski on guitar - laid down a fine opening solo on Bag’s Groove, a typically good start. The vocal duo of F’reez and Alice had some fun on Wonderwall, MD Lamb enthused about Satin Doll – the band not so enthused, he said – and your reviewer concurred. The band’s printed set list (tune no.9) read: All or Nowt at Aaaalll. Aye, the Geet Geordie Songbook number went doon a treat.*

Mulligan’s Red Door closed out the first set, down to the bar, another Wylam Gold Tankard.

Second set, The Mood I’m In another one for F’reez, followed by a couple from the Buddy Rich pad – first Phil Wilson’s Basically Blues, then Don Sebesky’s Big Mama Cass with lots of good blowing, variously David Barnes, trombone, and the reeds of Armstrong, Summers and Robinson. With time running short, one last number from Alice Grace – Ain’t Misbehavin’. The solo spotlight trained on a number of others during the evening including Pete Tanton, trumpet and flugelhorn, Graham Don, keyboards, Mark Ferris, trombone, and Michael Whent, bass. The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band can be heard on the last Thursday in the month at the Millstone on Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth. A seven o’clock start, free admission. Recommended.      

Russell.

* Translation available upon request.                  

Michael Lamb (MD), Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (trumpets); Steve Summers (alto & soprano saxophones, flute), Keith Robinson (alto saxophone, clarinet & flute), Niall Armstrong (tenor saxophone), Laurie Rangecroft (baritone saxophone); David Barnes, Mark Ferris, Sarah Bolt, ? (trombones) ; Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar), Graham Don (keyboards), Michael Whent (bass), Guy Swinton (drums), Alice Grace (vocals) & F’reez (vocals)